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FAQ
FAQ:
How can my modem be bad, I unplugged
my computer during the last storm?
We have received numerous calls in technical support that have been related to
"fried modems", as we call them.
Many people unplug their computer during a storm, which isn't a bad idea, but
most do not unplug their modem phone line from the wall jack. From our point of
view, we see more modems that have been lightening struck through the phone line
than we have computers damaged from the power lines.
Here are some suggestions to save your computer or modem from damage:
Buy a surge protector with both power line and phone line
protection. This means that there is a phone line that runs from your wall to
the surge protector and then a line that runs from the protector to the modem in
the back of your computer. This device, when installed between your modem and
telephone wall jack, will stop any unwanted current from reaching your modem.
Make sure you get a surge protector of good
quality. The most reliable surge protectors come with a warranty of some kind
that will insure you up to a certain dollar amount. A good protector doesn't
have to be an expensive one. They are available at Wal-Mart, Target, and Staples
and range in cost starting at around $20 up to many hundred dollars. Some better
brands include:
APC and
Belkin.
If you don't have or don't want a surge
protector, make sure that you unplug your computer and your phone line from the
wall during a storm.
Don't use the Internet during severe weather...
when your computer is on and communicating over phone lines, it increases the
risk.
Why can't I connect at 56k when I have a
56k modem?
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This problem
can be caused by several different reasons.
- The FCC regulates telephone line
speed on analog lines to 53k. Contact your local phone company and
your modem maker, ask them this question, as they are the ones
responsible for modem and line speed performance. We supply dial-up
Internet access, but the line in the ground from you to us belongs
to the phone company. Most phone companies DO NOT support a speed
above 14400 even though it is most likely that it will go faster. A
typical phone line is compressed at the switch using ADPCM and
routed through miles of cable, causing signal quality and line
quality to diminish. If you are connecting at a rate of 38.000 or
higher, this is quite normal. On average expect connecting as high
as 45.333k to 53.333k, with a 56k modem running v.90 for maximum
throughput.
- Line noise or bad line quality can
reduce the connection speed considerably.
- Make sure that you are using a 56k
V.90 protocol modem. V.90 is somewhat new and the creators of the
protocol are constantly improving and updating it. If you are using
a v.90 modem and are getting slow connection speeds you may check to
see if there is a new version of firmware available for your modem.
Older versions usually have trouble with the updated protocol
because of timing routines written into it. You can see if there is
a firmware update for your modem at
http://www.56k.com.
These updates are programs that when run will install the latest
version of the protocol available for you modem. Most Kflex and X2
modems also have software available that will convert them to V.90
compatibility.
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Why do some sites load fast
while others load slow?
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This happens
for several reasons: Heavy network traffic or a lot of people are using
the Net. Also, not every web site you visit is using a high speed T-1
line like we are connected to by fiber-optics. Some Web Servers are
connected via modem, or ISDN , and run at speeds considerably less than
that of our high speed connection. Another reason for a slow site is the
load and type of server being used, if it lacks RAM, and processor
speed, or is configured to accept more connections than it can handle,
it is going to be slow. |
When I check my mail it says "Is
another session active?
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This usually
means that a prior mail session on the mail server was either stopped by
the user before all the mail had been retrieved or had timed out due to
a large mail file or attachment. If this happens, the mail server thinks
that it is still
attempting
to send mail for this user and keeps a lock on that users's mail file.
Fixing this error requires a call to Tech Support so that we may remove
the lock file or offending email.
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Why does my mail take
forever to download?
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If you have a
considerable amount of mail on the system it will take a while to
download. This also includes large file attachments such as movie files,
picture files, and
sound files. Most of these file types are generally large in their
uncompressed state. If you often send or receive large file attachments
, the best thing to do is to have the files zipped (compressed) before
they are attached to email. This will reduce the file size and will also
reduce the amount of time it takes to send it and to download it from
the server. |
How do I disable call waiting on
my phone line?
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If you only
have one phone line and don't disable call waiting while online, someone
calling you may disconnect you from the Internet. To keep this from
happening you can disable call waiting on your phone line by entering
*70,, in front of the telephone number in the dialer. Call waiting will
be restored to the line when you disconnect.
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I get an Error 691 when I try to
connect.
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This means
that the computer is having a hard time communicating with the server.
Shutting down and rebooting the computer will often fix this problem.
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I get an Error 676 when I try to
connect.
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This error
generally occurs in our rural areas. This error means that the sub
station that handles the calls for your area is carrying the maximum
number of calls that it can handle at the current time. Usually when you
try to place a call with your telephone, you will hear a fast busy
signal verifying the situation. The only resolve for this error is to
wait and attempt a
connection later. Local Line has no control over this error because the
phone company owns the equipment involved.
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I get an Error 645 when I try to connect.
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This error
generally occurs in when your password is entered incorrectly, normally
that is because your CAPS LOCK is accidentally on . It can also occur
when you have used your email address as your login/user name, or if you
have a space before, after or in your password or login name. Lastly if
you get behind on your payment more than 40 days
and have not made arrangements with the billing department your account
could be frozen. |
This Faq sheet is for information purposes
only. Local Line, Inc. Oxford, In. cannot guarantee that these
methods will always prove effective and is not reponsible for any data loss
and/or equipment damage that may occur. If you have additional questions about
using your computer on the internet, please e-mail us at:
tech@localline.com. Or call us during
normal Tech Support Hours
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